The best tips for traveling to Seville
By Elio Tovani, founder and guide of Sevilla Tapas Tour
Welcome to the official blog of Sevilla Tapas Tour, a space where I share the stories, traditions, and flavors that make Seville one of the most vibrant cities in the world. After years guiding travelers through its bars, markets, and hidden plazas, I wanted to create a place to go deeper into what we live every day on our tours.
Here you will find articles written from real experience — not from travel brochures. Each post reflects the knowledge gathered over more than a decade walking these streets, tasting, listening, and learning from the people who keep Seville’s food culture alive.
Stories from the Heart of Seville
For me, Seville is not just a city — it is a rhythm of life that can be tasted. I have spent more than a decade walking its narrow alleys, discovering the old taverns that locals still call by the names of their grandparents, and talking with chefs who cook with the same patience their mothers taught them. That long journey through flavors and faces inspired me to create this blog — a space where I can share the stories I live every day while guiding travelers through this city I love.
Each post is a piece of Seville’s living culture: the bartender who knows every customer by name, the baker who wakes up before dawn, the elderly couple who still meet every Sunday for calamares fritos and manzanilla.
Through this blog I hope to connect you with the real Seville — the one that smells of orange blossom, hums with conversation, and finds beauty in the simplicity of a shared meal. I write as a guide, but also as someone who fell in love with this way of living, and who believes that every traveler deserves to experience Seville with authenticity and respect.
Food as Culture and Memory
Tapas are more than small dishes; they are Seville’s language — a way of expressing identity, emotion, and belonging. In every tapa you can read a page of history: the Mediterranean trade that brought olive oil and spices, the Moorish influence that shaped our herbs, the Catholic traditions that marked our seasons. Every bar is a living archive of collective memory.
When I guide a group, I always say that what matters is not only what we eat, but where and with whom. Sharing a plate of salmorejo or montaditos creates bonds that no museum can reproduce. Food connects you to Seville’s soul — to the laughter echoing between tiles, to the music of voices rising under arches, to the warmth that makes every stranger feel at home. That is the true meaning of our gastronomy.
I will show how Seville’s cuisine is inseparable from its history, art, and way of life. We will explore markets full of stories, family-run bars that resist time, and recipes that evolve without losing their essence. Food here is not a product — it is culture, memory, and belonging served on a small plate.
Honest Tips from a Local Guide
After years of leading tours, I have learned that travelers don’t just want to eat well; they want to understand. Why do locals stand at the bar instead of sitting? Why does dinner start so late? Why does a simple tapa feel like a celebration? This section of the blog is for those who seek honest answers — authentic advice based on real experience, not marketing.
Here you will find personal recommendations tested by me: hidden taverns, seasonal specialties, and small gestures that make you blend in with Sevillians. I’ll also share behind-the-scenes stories of our tours — how we choose each stop, how we build friendships with bar owners, and how every route becomes a shared experience rather than a scripted visit.
My promise is honesty and authenticity. If I write about a place, it’s because it moved me. If I share a story, it’s because it represents the Seville I want you to know — real, flavorful, and full of life. This blog is an invitation to explore, taste, and love this city through its people and its food — Seville as we locals live it every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who writes the articles on this website?
I write every article myself, based on real experiences as a guide and long-time resident of Seville. These posts are not sponsored or copied from travel websites — they come directly from what I live every day. I walk the same streets, eat at the same bars, and talk with the same people I recommend. Writing allows me to expand on what I share during the tours: the history behind the dishes, the people preserving old recipes, and the culture that gives meaning to each flavor. Every word you read here is rooted in lived experience, not marketing.
What kind of topics do you cover on his page?
This blog is more than a travel guide — it’s a cultural journal written from direct experience. You’ll find stories about the evolution of tapas, profiles of local chefs, hidden corners of Seville’s neighborhoods, and reflections on how food connects to history and identity. I also share insider tips on how to order like a local, the best times to visit certain markets, and seasonal dishes you shouldn’t miss. My goal is to help readers understand Seville’s food culture from the inside out — not as spectators, but as participants.
How can I join a tour after discovering the blog?
The easiest way is to book directly through our official website or contact form. Once you send your request, my team and I personally confirm availability and adapt the experience to your needs. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or in a group, we’ll make sure your experience is tailored, intimate, and true to the spirit of Seville. The blog is the window — the tour is the door to live everything you’ve read.
Can I trust the restaurant and bar recommendations?
Yes, absolutely — everything mentioned here has been personally verified and experienced by me. I only write about places I truly admire and visit frequently. There are no paid mentions, advertising exchanges, or hidden promotions. When I recommend a bar, it’s because it reflects Seville’s genuine spirit: honest food, warm hospitality, and a sense of community. Trust is earned, and I build it through consistency, transparency, and respect for local culture.
What sets your food tour apart from others in Seville?
Authenticity and personal connection are at the heart of everything I do. Sevilla Tapas Tour was born from years of walking these streets, talking to chefs, and learning from locals. Unlike large group tours or generic experiences, my tours are intentionally small — never more than eight guests — so every participant can truly connect with the culture. Every stop we visit has been hand-selected by me after years of collaboration with family-run taverns that still cook from tradition, not from trends. It’s not a performance — it’s Seville as it really tastes and feels.